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Most empires have ended in Afghanistan. None more so than the British empire. America might be following a similar trajectory; although admittedly, after September 11, 2001, there is much to be said for the old saw that, "We didn't start this fight."

Still, the president should consider that the British army invaded Afghanistan, from India, via the Khyber Pass, several times. The British fought three Afghan wars: in 1839-'42; 1878-'80 and finally, in 1919.

Indeed, George Molesworth, a member of that last British expedition, reportedly said, "Every stone in the Khyber has been soaked in blood."

More recently, the former Soviet empire was brought to its knees, during the Afghan war of the 1980s. Of course, technology ensured that - along with our CIA.

The formidable Hind helicopter and crews operating it, slaughtered thousands of Afghans; until our CIA supplied the Mujihedeen (sic) with Stinger missles. One can see that story detailed full well, in the movie, "Charlie Wilson's War." (The book, by the late George Crile, goes into much greater detail as to what led to our current situation, resultant from American involvement, during the 1980s.)

The comparison to the Vietnam War is even more valid, when one thinks about the war in Afghanistan today. The enemy knows the terrain, and the terrain is even worse than fighting in a jungle.

Let's hope the president has some advisors reminding him of that, rather than a lot of "yes" men.

Otherwise, our soldiers and marines, might emulate the Soviet army and the British.